MAORI MEMORIES

Wairarapa Daily Times, 11 April 1935, Page 5

MAORI MEMORIES

(By J.H.S. for "The Daily Times.”)

SETTLERS AND MAORIS.

Poverty in industrial England became a vital problem in 1850 and men eagerly asked, which is the best colony for us? Little confidence was placed in the rosy pictures given by residents, for each had drawbacks as well as advantages. Mother Nature sees to it that each thinks his own tlio very best. ‘ ‘ The shuddering tenant of the frigid zone Boldly proclaims that happiest spot his own. Tho naked Negro, panting at the line, Boasts of his golden sands and balmy wine. ’ ’

Canana, “land of promise,” lias dreary winters and scorching summers; Nova Scotia, fogs, damp, and long winters; the Cape and Mauritius scorching heat; the Tropics extinguish the Briton in the fourth generation; The Antipodes tainted by convicts and cannibals. All except New Zealand and Tasmanian climates aro injurious to children’s mental and physical health. Captain Cook’s popular voyages left an impression of cannibalism which persisted long years after the death of the last man who indulged in its ceremonial practice. Sentiment plays a prominent part in our lives, whether in regard to our life’s companion, our homes, the mountains in the distance, our daily work, or perhaps more than we realise it, the beautiful Southern Cross and Orion’s Belt which distinguishes this hemisphere. Throughout the centuries the unchanging atmosphere of life in England holds out little hope for the toiler. Here in New Zealand, except during the long period of oppressive war debts, every sober, industrious man has a fair life prospect.

In 1934, the ghastly memory of 1914 is fading. All except the Maoris are indulging in warfare. In social circles, sport, labour, worship, or politics we are squabbling over mere formalities which have no real significance in the lives of men, women, or children. Only now have the “plungers” realised that the imps of Debt and Interest, with their illegitimate son, Compound Interest, has a strange hold, which will see their generation out of the race for prosperity. Tntelliacnt Maoris, having no fears of the adverse vote from politics, or even from readers or hearers of popular newspapers and preachers,-have put a finger print on the real cause of industrial collapse. This is their verdict: “By slow work and broken "ontracts, every -workman depreciates bis own value to the community, and at the same time destroys the capacity of his employer to pay him a fair wage or any at all.”